The UN humanitarian mission in the Gaza Strip says the Israeli assault on Rafah has forced nearly 2 million refugees to flee once again.
"Thousands of families have been forced to flee due to Israeli military operations," the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said in a statement. "An estimated 1.7 million people have been displaced to Khan Younis and central areas of the Gaza Strip."
UNRWA noted that all 36 shelters in Rafah where people sought refuge are now empty.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini also stressed that the agency has had to suspend medical and other essential services in Rafah due to the ongoing hostilities.
The agency noted that the humanitarian space "continues to shrink."
Earlier, Lazzarini said Israel was delegitimizing the UN agency and threatening the work of its staff.
Over 36,200 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.